The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday urged members of the Senate-House of Representatives conference committee on the Electoral Amendment Bill to adopt in full the version passed by the House, warning that any dilution of the electronic transmission provision could undermine electoral integrity.
Dickson disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, barely 48 hours after the Senate ratified the electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal, while permitting manual collation as a backup where technology fails.
The lawmaker, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, said extensive work had already been done by lawmakers and stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s electoral framework before recent alterations by the Senate.
“For almost two years, as a member of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, we worked extensively on amendments to the electoral laws.
“We held workshops, joint sessions with the House of Representatives, meetings with INEC, the technical committee, consultants, and other stakeholders, as well as public hearings in Abuja and Lagos.
“We all agreed, crucially with INEC, on a framework that would regulate the conduct of elections in this country moving forward.
“But we could not conclude the process before tragedy struck. The deputy governor of my state collapsed suddenly and died, throwing the entire state and my family into mourning,” he said.
Dickson noted that Tuesday marked his first appearance at plenary since the burial of the deputy governor.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) was the first time I attended a Senate sitting since his burial. Despite my personal state, I attended the emergency session because of its importance,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor expressed shock that while the House of Representatives passed the harmonised document without alteration, the Senate initially removed what he described as a crucial clause agreed upon at the joint committee level.
“While I was still in Bayelsa, I was shocked to learn that the House of Representatives, which received the same document, passed it without any alteration. But the Senate delayed and later removed a very crucial clause that had been unanimously agreed upon at the joint committee level, replacing it with a weaker provision from the previous law.
“That development shocked me, though I was not surprised when civil society organisations raised an alarm, and Nigerians expressed outrage. This was why the Senate leadership convened the emergency session.
“The clause was brought back, but with a proviso stating that where electronic transmission fails, manual results would serve as the primary evidence. That proviso is what many Nigerians are rightly concerned about,” he stated.
Dickson maintained that the House version faithfully reflected the consensus reached with INEC and other stakeholders.
The senator urged the conference committee to adopt the House of Representatives’ version of the Electoral Amendment Bill in full, saying it reflects the consensus earlier reached by the joint committees, consultants, and INEC.
He noted that INEC had assured lawmakers of its capacity to transmit election results electronically and stressed that once the law made it mandatory, the commission must deploy the necessary technology nationwide.
“My message to Nigerians is clear: I call on the members of the conference committee to adopt the House version in its entirety. That version reflects what the joint committees, consultants, and INEC agreed upon.
“INEC assured us at the committee level of its capacity to transmit results electronically. If the law makes it compulsory, then it is INEC’s duty to acquire and deploy the necessary technology across the country.
“The issue of electronic transmission has become central to electoral integrity because manipulation often occurs at collation centres, not just at polling units. Once results are transmitted immediately after polling, it becomes difficult to alter them,” he stated.
Although the Senate version uses mandatory language, Dickson warned that the proviso allowing manual results where electronic transmission fails could be abused, insisting that exceptions must not become the norm.
He, however, called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to the democratic process by participating actively in elections and demanding compliance with electronic transmission rules.
“Even though the Senate version uses the word ‘shall’, the concern remains that the proviso could be abused. Exceptions should never become the norm.
“I call on Nigerians not to give up on democracy. The fight for free, fair, and credible elections is ongoing. The price for liberty is eternal vigilance.
“Citizens must continue to mobilise, sensitise, and participate fully in elections. Go to your polling stations, cast your votes, and insist that presiding officers comply with the law by transmitting results electronically.
“I also urge INEC, through its guidelines and manuals, to ensure that electronic transmission remains the general rule, and not a cover for subverting the democratic wishes of the Nigerian people,” he noted.
The former governor’s appeal comes amid heightened public scrutiny of the Electoral Amendment Bill.
Following widespread criticism from civil society groups and political stakeholders over the Senate’s earlier decision to weaken the electronic transmission clause, the Red Chamber convened an emergency plenary on Tuesday.
At the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the expansion of the conference committee from nine to 12 members to harmonise differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill.
The committee is chaired by Simon Lalong, with members including Orji Uzor Kalu, Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Iya Abbas, Tokunbo Abiru, Niyi Adegbonmire (SAN), Jibrin Isah, Ipalibo Banigo and Onyekachi Nwebonyi.
Akpabio added that the harmonised bill would be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent before the end of the month.
punch.ng
FOLLOW US ON:
